Whale shark found dead

ABS-CBN News

CAMARINES SUR - A whale shark, locally known as butanding, was found dead on the shores of Brgy. Bonot-Sta. Rosa, Calabanga, Camarines Sur, Sunday morning.

Joel Panuela, a local fisherman, said he was on his way to check his fish corrals but was surprised to see the dead whale shark.

It took Panuela and other residents about two hours to drag the dead whale shark to the shore because of the low tide.

Local residents are suspecting that the whale shark has been trapped in the fish corrals before dying.

Meanwhile, local authorities warned the residents against slaughtering the whale shark, whose length was estimated at 26 feet.

Even without permission from the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, the local government of Calabanga went on to bury the whale. Almost 100 residents helped in digging the grave for the dead sea giant.